DIRECTOR - CULINARY OPERATIONS - Hard Rock Cafe

Overview

Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 265 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 86,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. In 2022, Hard Rock Hotels was honored as the number one brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for the second year in a row among Upper Upscale Hotels in J.D. Power’s North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study. This designation is the fourth consecutive year the iconic brand has been among top brands in this category.

HRI is the first privately-owned gaming company designated U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal for the second year. Hard Rock was also honored as one of Forbes’ Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. In 2021, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos received first place ranking in the Casino Gaming Executive Satisfaction Survey conducted by Bristol Associates Inc. and Spectrum Gaming Group for six of the last seven years. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.

Responsibilities

Position Summary: Provide oversight, and resources to ensure that we are delivering world class execution in our Cafe BOH operations. Reporting to Culinary Director of SHRSS, partnering with the AVP/DO/GM and directly with Exec Chef / Kitchen Managers, the Corporate Exec Chef will directly support Cafe Kitchen teams to ensure the highest standards are in place through, onsite presence and continued coaching and development. The Cafe Corporate Exec Chef will also be responsible for the development of the cafe BOH leadership through use of the key result areas to ensure we are delivering best in class food operations., both executional and FSS standards.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• People - To provide a positive “employee life cycle” for all staff members during their tenure with Hard Rock
• Service - To provide an authentic experience that “rocks” for Hard Rock guests by adhering to proper menu specifications and attention to detail in food quality and presentation- 100% recipe adherence 100% of the time
• Profit - To operate a financially profitable food and beverage business operation and maximize opportunity in food cost/wastage and carefully monitor the variance to theoretical costs
• Sales - To grow the business by using innovative sales and marketing concepts- focus on group and banquet execution
• Product-Best in class execution of product by detailed recipe FSS compliance and audit follow up
• Assets- BPE standard audits combined with maintaining a detailed FSS standards
• Performance Development – Continuously support Exec Chef/Kitchen Managers to teach/coach and document employees who fail to meet standards to maintain a quality workforce
• Multi-Unit Leadership – Properly prioritize tasks, provide accountability and consistency across corporate and franchise locations, globally.
• Travel - Schedule flexibility including travel in response to needs, sometimes exceeding 50% of calendar.
• Responsibilities – Direct & Administrative
• Interview candidates for Exec Chef positions
• Conduct Hard Rock Cafe Chef Meetings Weekly
• Special Event Development and Execution
• Quarterly Culinary Team Assessment and Update
• Growth Plan for Executive Chefs, and Rising Stars
• Assessment & Strategy for Yearly Budgets and P&L Review
• Identification of New Equipment/Plateware/Smallwares
• Distribution and Communication of Updates & Recipes to NA/EU/Franchise
• AOP Strategy, Development, and Rollout
• Cafe Specific Visit/Analysis/Action Plan
• Purchasing RFPs Guidance and Evaluation
• Grow Vendor Relationship with Marketing Support and Product
• Drive Proper Compliance in All Areas of BOH Operations

                              Administrative –

• Budgets/P&L Review
• Quarterly Menu Evaluation and Growth Plan
• Organization of Recipes and Training Materials
• Assisting with Executive Tastings and Execution of Executive Tastings
• Distribution and Communication of updates Globally
• Nutritional Database Project Upload and Maintenance
• MICROS Management with IT Team/ Menu Updates/ Etc.
• Prep and Print Recipe Maintenance and Upload

                          Human Resources –

• Interview Candidates for Regional Chef & Exec Chef Positions
• Conduct Hard Rock Cafe Meetings Monthly
• Development and Performance Plan for Exec Chefs
• Quarterly Culinary Team Assessment and Update
• KDS Import and Timing with IT

                          Cafe R&D – Menu, Recipes, and Stations

• Menu Development and Execution - all-inclusive of LTO, Special Events, and Banquet Menus
• AOP/LTO Calendar Management and Timelines
• COGS Assessment & Evaluation for New Menu Items & LTOs
• Conduct Product/Ingredient Analysis Tastings and Decisions

                          Facilities –

• Identification of New Equipment/Plateware/Smallwares
• Collaborate with Facilities for Updating Kitchen Equipment per Cafe

                          Purchasing –

• Collaborate directly with Purchasing Team to identify ingredients and distribution
• Collaborate with CBORd team to get recipes built for NA Cafe
• Collaborate with Purchasing to:

                                            1) Identify Cost Saving Initiatives

        2) Capture Marketing Support through Vendors

• Responsible for Purchasing RFPs Guidance and Evaluation

Nonessential Functions

• Help support Executive Chefs / Kitchen Managers to teach/coach and document employees who fail to meet standards to maintain a high-quality workforce.
• Attend client functions and designated parties to provide support, ensure guest satisfaction and promote future business.
• Build business/market share by thinking of new ways to promote the company and by participating in local events to increase sales and profits.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships within the business and social community
• Spearhead philanthropic initiatives.
• Work as a team, helping all employees to complete the required activities that ensure we blow away Guest expectations.
• Maintain low staff turnover rate and high morale.
• Operate ethically to protect the image of Hard Rock.
• Utilize programs designed to help Save the Planet.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Culinary Arts degree or equivalent work experience is preferred
• Certified Executive Chef (CEC) and (CCA) is highly preferred but not required.
• Must have at least 10 years of experience working in a restaurant kitchen as an executive chef
• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Word, and Outlook required
• Must be able to excel in fast paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks and demands
• Demonstrate extreme attention to detail
• Understanding of industry practices, systems, processes and activities

Additional Details

Core Competencies

• Understanding the Business – Business Acumen; Functional/Technical Skills; Customer Focus; Drive for Results
• Making Complex Decisions – Decision Quality; Confronting Direct Reports; Conflict Management
• Getting Organized – Priority Setting; Time Management; Timely Decision Making; Action Oriented
• Getting Work Done Through Others – Delegation; Developing Direct Reports
• Inspiring Others – Managing Vision and Purpose; Motivating Others; Building Effective Teams
• Managing Relationships – Managing Diversity; Managerial Courage
• Acting with Honor and Character – Ethics and Values; Integrity and Trust
• Critical Thinking – Strategic mindset, execution and deployment of initiatives and strategy

Closing:

Hard Rock International is an equal opportunity employer. We live our motto LOVE ALL – SERVE ALL, and strive to foster an inclusive workplace culture for every team member.  Hard Rock welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Hard Rock to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact a member of our Human Resources team.

Disclaimer

While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the current job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs or technical developments).